ASHOKA

Ashok
was at Ujjain when Bindusara fell sick. Ashoka came to Patilaputra seizes
the sovereignty of the city and put his elder brother to death. After a reign
of some twenty five years Bindusara was succeeded by Ashoka in 273 BC. also
know as Devanampriya Priyadarsin. Buddhist traditions gives us accounts
of Ashoka's accession. It is said that his claim to the throne was disputed
and it is also a tale that Ashoka had massacred ninety nine of his brothers
. Ashoka was transformed into a Dharmasoka as said by the monks .

The most important event of Ashokas reign was the conquest
of Kalinga was the country on the coast of the Bay of Bengal between the rivers
Godavari and Mahanadi. This was the 13th year of his reign. The rock edict XIII
gives a clue that Kalinga was a country previously unconquered, thus Ashoka's
declaration of war was that of unprovoked aggression. The Kalinga war witnessed
terrible manslaughter and destruction. The sufferings and atrocities of the battlefield lacerated the heart of Ashoka. He
made the solemn resolve to never unsheath the sword to expand his empire. He
realised the wickedness of worldly conquest and the beauty of moral and
spiritual triumph. He was drawn to the teachings of Buddha and devoted his life
to the conquest of men's heart by the law of duty or piety. He evolved a policy
of Dharma Vijaya, 'conquest by Piety'.

Religious Policy of Ashoka

Ashoka became a upasaka of Buddha, He established an intimate relation
with the Buddhist Sangha and is said to have become a monk. He undertook
Dharma yatra instructing Dharma to the people. He took up
pilgrimages to the birth place of the Sakyamuni. To spread the
message of Dharma to the vast extent of his empire. He appointed officers in
charge of religious propagation. They were called Dharma Mahamatras. His doctrine of Dharma was expanded out side India. He sent
a mission to the Ceylon headed by prince Mahendra and also to Burma and Sumatra. During Ashoka's reign a general
Buddhist council was convened at Pataliputra. Though Ashoka embraced
Buddhism he was very tolerant towards all region and sects, and
prescribed a code of conduct for living. Ashoka conceived idea of the Universal
religion. He practiced what he preached and inculcated the virtues of
co-operation and toleration. His love for the living kind extended to the
animals and he abolished slaughter of animals for sacrifices and in the
royal kitchen. He provided hospitals for treating ailing animals. Construction of
reservoirs of water, planting trees and groves for the comfort of the travelers
were also undertaken .

Ashoka was one of the greatest patron of Buddhism. The doctrines of
Buddhism were spread far and wide beyond the boundaries of his territories. His
well planned and organised propagation of Buddhist Dharma were through the
following methods.

Rock and stone edicts:-

The main doctrines of Dharma were
engraved on rocks and stone pillars through the expanse of his dominion

Appointed Dharma Mahamantras :-

These were officers to
enforce obedience to the moral regulations enforcing imperial
commands

Official propaganda:-

State officials were instructed to
convoke assemblies and instruct people in the law of piety . This
helped in the spread of Buddhist doctrine.

Foreign Buddhist Missions :-

Ashoka organised series
of missions to the kingdoms of south Ceylon, Syria, Egypt, Macedonia and
Burma. The mission to Ceylon was led by Mahendra and sister Sangamitra. The
foreign mission took up welfare works among the people.

Besides all these he took up measures to promote welfare of the people.
He built rest houses, dug wells, planted trees for shade along public roads. He was concerned about the life of animals and set up hospitals. As
ruler Ashoka was very hard working and ruled his kingdom with a zeal of
enlightenment. His empire extended to Hindukush on the North west. He retained
the four satrapies of Asia, Kandhar, Baluchistan and Kabul valley. Southern
Afganistan, the frontier regions, Kashmir, Saurashtra and South western India.
To the north his empire extended to the Himalayas. To the east Bengal comprised
a part of his empire.

The society during Ashoka's rule was a liberal and sympathetic one. Ascetic life was
common and comprised of Brahmanas, Buddhist sramans, Jains or Nirgranthas and
Ajivikas. Slavery was prevalent. Women folks participated in the social
activities.